Knowledgebase
Cherry tree #873020
Asked June 13, 2024, 5:06 PM EDT
Anne Arundel County Maryland
Expert Response
Cherry Shot Hole disease is very common in our climate.
Fungicides aren't really necessary unless the shot hole is causing so much defoliation (the year prior) that it's weakening the tree. If the tree is otherwise not stressed it should be fine. Provide water in times of drought and make sure it isn't in a low lying area with poorly drained soils or getting excess water from a downspout. Make sure it isn't planted too deeply or mulched too high- you can see the trunk flare out at the bottom where it meets the soil, like the stem on a wine glass-no mulch volcanoes. It should be receiving at least 6 hours a sun a day to thrive.
Fungicides risk harming pollinators, and depending on the fungicide used, tend to need multiple applications over the course of the spring (with the same chemical).
Neem is not a reliable fungicide...it's geared more towards insect suppression, not diseases.
Nothing will cure the existing infection, it can only help to suppress new infections.
Any drench-type fungicide that is labeled for this disease, to our knowledge, is not suspected to work well. Very few fungicides act like true systemics that are taken up by the plant.
Let us know if you have additional questions about care.
Emily